Wheaton, IL: NAMI DuPage hosted its annual Shine A Light Gala fundraiser on Saturday, May 5th at the Naperville Marriott Hotel which featured a Cinco de Mayo theme. Wendy Snyder, radio talk show host of WGN radio, served as the emcee for the evening. Musical entertainment was provided by the NAMI DuPage Choir, Kevin Conlin, and Rick Lindy & the Wild Ones band. The event broke attendance records at nearly 400 guests, along with a record amount of money raised for the organization’s programs making it the best fundraiser in the organization’s history.

The evening featured a memorable performance by the NAMI DuPage choir as well as a heart-rendering panel of individuals and family members who discussed, in a mock radio interview format conducted by Wendy Snyder, how NAMI DuPage had benefitted them and their families as part of raising money for the Fund A Need appeal. NAMI DuPage also awarded the Community Partner Award to Friends of the DuPage County Fairgrounds for their collaboration and partnership over the last 18 months.

“We are so very grateful to our attendees, supporters, and volunteers as well as to our sponsors for supporting this very important event” stated Angela Adkins, Executive Director. “The funds raised will be applied directly to sustaining our vital programs for the many individual, families, caretakers, and community at large in need of mental health support and educational services. Thank you all so very much.”

NAMI DuPage would like to thank the following sponsors for making the evening a success: